22 April 2013

TIME has unveiled the Time 100, its list of the 100 "most influential" people in the world. The list is especially notable because it includes some major names writing the blurb that accompanies each of its honorees, notes EBONY.

Ten African-Americans make this year’s list, including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Michelle and Barack Obama, Frank Ocean, Valerie Jarrett, LeBron James, Shonda Rhimes, Miguel and California attorney general Kamala Harris. ... The TIME 100 features often-surprising pairings of the influentials and the guest contributors Time selects to write about them. The 10th-annual list includes Oprah Winfrey on Shonda Rhimes, Derek Jeter on LeBron James, John Legend on Frank Ocean, Maya Angelou on Michelle Obama and more.

Frank broke a lot of rules with his album Channel Orange. He wasn’t focused on “What’s gonna be my single?” And obviously, one of the cardinal rules was that he wasn’t supposed to come out. But he did, and he did it in a way that speaks to what kind of artist he is, in a beautifully written letter to his fans. The day the letter was published, he came over to my house for a July 4 barbecue, where he was among friends who supported him and showed him love.

How fitting that he released his “declaration” on Independence Day. I think Frank’s career will be defined by his fearlessness and his artistic freedom.

The Gay community loves to find slim, fragile threads
to indicate a man’s gay/bi sexuality just so they can lump them into
their own, “see we’re everywhere, here's our new mascot” agenda. I'm not
saying we shouldn't support Frank Ocean. Let's just be clear why we're
supporting him, because it ain't because he's gay. When specifically
asked by GQ Magazine if he was at least Bisexual, Frank Ocean [refused] to answer.

Down Lo [is] set in Miami’s South Beach. [T]he edgy ensemble drama explores the intersection of three worlds — the party town’s popular music scene, sports and fashion circles. It deals with fame and secrets, with the stories told from multiple points of view. One of them will be that of a gay rapper living on the down low as homosexuality is still not readily accepted in the hip-hop community.

This could be a winner. The nine-times Grammy Award-winning Legend is ridiculously talented, super stylish and also a fierce progressive and vocal LGBT ally. Krantz was the executive producer of 24 during its height in the early 2000s. Most people would go the cheap and messy route—but I don't see it happening with this team.

28 May 2010

Last month when we interviewed Estelle, she mentioned that the next single from her upcoming album All of Me would be "Fall In Love." The mid-tempo track just debuted and the hook channels "American Boy".

in other Estelle news: This week the singer has been tweeting from Russia, where she performed. Listen to the new track, as well as versions featuring John Legend and Nas, AFTER THE JUMP ...

05 May 2010

Estelle has become the template for transatlantic music success. In 2004, the West London-born singer-songwriter burst onto the British R&B scene with "1980" and "Free" from her debut album The 18th Day. After winning the MOBO for "Best Newcomer" and a number of other awards, Estelle gradually managed to slightly repackage her distinctive sound for American audiences. Signed to John Legend's HomeSchool, produced by Will.i.am and featuring a guest vocal by Kanye West, Estelle's 2008 US breakthrough
hit "American Boy" earned her a Grammy Award. Quite impressive.

Now based in America, Estelle is getting her freak on with the David Guetta-produced "Freak"—the video is fierce and Estelle gives a special shout-out to Rod 2.0—the first single from her forthcoming album All of Me. "We're looking at a late August or early September release," Estelle tells Rod 2.0. "And another single or two as well."

So the same wholesome London girl who sweetly sung about American boys is now singing ... "Kiss him, slap him, pull his hair"? We discussed this, as well as Estelle's new video, ballroom voguing and "the kids" over an extended phone call last Friday. At times it was a little difficult to follow because of her accent—which is very lovely—but she was a doll.

ROD 2.0: Love, love, love "Freak. " But why do you want to slap the man? Was this Tiger Woods you were singing about?

ESTELLE: No, no. (LAUGHS) This was just a different part of me. I want to do an album that is a little schizophrenic ... sweet, sad, upbeat, freaky. All the different parts of me. I wanted to do an
album with my different personalities, all 20 of them. I think
everybody has it in them or at least the potential. People are either surprised by it, they love it or they don't get it.

R20: The video is high concept—the space suit, voguing and runway. How many wardrobe changes did you have?

ESTELLE: Wow .. at least four or five. My back was in pain from all the outfits and the bubble suit ... it was sooo heavy. And the director had me leaning against that guy for so long. I was standing there so long, I was about to freak him. (LAUGHS)

R20: You should have,
he was hot. (LAUGHS) That necklace you were wearing is hot. Is it Paloma Picaso?

R20: Good luck with that. The jewelry, outfits and Naomi Campbell walk was fierce. You were giving us the
Latex Ball in New York Part 2.

ESTELLE: Ohmygod, I never had so much fun.
I've been here for three years and always wanted to attend the balls. So
many of my friends are gay and hang at the balls and I finally went. So
much fun. Those kids are so talented and creative—they taught me to
walk. Absolutely! I never had so
much fun. Some of those kids were dipping and dropping so hard, pure fun. I love the balls.

Estelle talks her new CD, gay audiences stateside vs London plus watch the new "Freak" video AFTER THE JUMP ....

23 April 2010

Fab British R&b sensation Estelle gives a shout-out to Rod 2.0 at the top of her new video for "Freak." The video for the house inspired, David Guetta-produced track is all kinds of hawt: Spaced out voguers channel Malcolm McLaren's "Deep in Vogue". A sample from Soul II Soul's "Back to Life". Canadian rapper Kardinall Offishall. And a fierce Naomi Campbell walk that the her fans in the ballroom would live for.

In related news: The Independent reports the Grammy Awards-winning Estelle has become one of the coveted few British RnB artists to gain that most "coveted" prize: Success in the States. "Without turning into a wholly US-sounding diva, she has managed to
repackage her sound for a transatlantic audience, with help from soul
star John Legend."

13 April 2009

Stylist extraordinaire Lloyd Boston has offered fashion advice for the past decade to millions through his books such as Men of Color and Before You Put That On, as well as numerous television appearances on shows such as Oprah, Today and The View. Boston finally lands his own television style show Closet Caseswhich premieres tonight 10/9c on Fine Living Network. Lloyd Boston took a few minutes to speak with Rod 2.0 about his brand new series, which he describes as "a refreshing oasis on style television."

What's taken so long? I'm surprised you didn't have your own show years ago.Good question. I've had a slower rise for getting my
own show than other stylists because my philosophy is different. I'm showing women and men what they are doing right and showing them where they can improve. So
many of the other style guys have gotten there faster by pointing out
the negative. I want people to feel good about themselves. Not like they are being judged.

Let's talk about the title "Closet Cases" ...At first I was like, "Yikes!" This would be the show to come my way! But I have always been very clear and direct about who I am, personally, and my life. So I thought it would be great to have some fun with the double entendre since it's a double makeover show. I get an opportunity to give a person a great look and also to make some changes with their living space.

Describe the show. What will we experience tonight?Closet Cases is easy-going. It's for women and men
who love fashion and style television but do not want to feel like they are being beat up. I'm not going to stand over your closet and ridicule. The show will be a refreshing oasis on style television. My goal is to be your new BFF: Best Friend in Fashion. I'm taking you to Fashion Week with me, we're going shopping, editing your own closets ... without
making you feel bad.

Black gay men and fashion. Discuss.I love the fact that black gay style has not been homogenized. There is still inventiveness. If you look closely you can see where feminine
meets the masculine in details. It would be easy for many black gay men to "hide" under baggy hip hop clothes but many do it with a little feminine twist. Rod, and this is something you have talked about on your blog—Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, John Legend, all of these huge names are clearly influenced by the black gay community in terms of style and aesthetic. Black gay men should be applauded for their contributions. It's not easy to wear that badge in a community that may be hostile.

Politico's Mike Allen quotes an "Obama source" who says "Robinson was in the plans before the complaints about Rick Warren. Many skeptics will read this as a direct reaction to the Warren criticism – but it’s just not so."

Sure. That's why they were willing to give their name and stand by that remark.

The concert is certainly not as grand nor important as the inauguration, but, it is the official kick-off of the festivities. More importantly the location is rich is symbolism. Robinson will deliver his invocation at the same location where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the historic "I Have a Dream."

10 December 2008

Über-stylish Rod 2.0 fave John Legend takes a break from snapping pictures with blatino gay porn stars to pose for this four-page editorial in the special Africa issue of L'Uomo Vogue. The singer-songwriter is looking tres fabulous in the editorial lensed by fashion and music photographer Nabil. The photographer also shot editorials in the same issue of Quincy Jones, Wyclef Jean, Placido Domingo and others. Here are a few scans.

The leather jacket below is just sick. It's Gucci. The suit is Tom Ford.